TV crew arrested with fake bomb at Newark Liberty Airport

NEWARK — Seven members of a TV crew were arrested Thursday night as they filmed themselves trying to get a fake explosive device through a Newark Liberty International Airport security checkpoint.

Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said TSA agents detected the device in a carry-on bag in the airport's Terminal C as the crew secretly recorded the incident on video. The seven individuals were arrested on multiple charges, and face possible civil penalties from the TSA.

CBS New York, citing unnamed sources, reported the crew works for the production company Endemol Shine North America, and was recording a segment for the upcoming CNBC series "Staten Island Hustle."

The show, scheduled to debut in the spring, centers on "a group of animated, life-long friends and businessmen from Staten Island who've yet to come up with an idea or product too far-fetched for them to invest in," according to a release from CNBC.

Endemol also produces "Big Brother" for CBS, "Master Chef" on Fox, and the syndicated series "Page Six."

In a statement, Endemol said the device is a "specially designed suitcase" used to compact clothing and "has no other intended use."